Initially, two candidates were put forward for the position - Emīls Dobrājs (For Latvia's Development), a party member of the incumbent mayor, and Andris Ozoliņš (Latvian Green Party). However, no one got enough votes - 6 voted for Dobrājs and 8 for Ozoliņš.
A second round of voting was then held, in which Ozoliņš, who had received the most votes, was voted for again, but 8 deputies voted for him again. A total of ten votes are needed to elect the President of the Jelgava Municipality Council.
The continuity of the work of the Jelgava municipality will continue to be ensured by the Deputy Chairperson of the Council, Ilze Vītola (Latvian Farmers' Union), until a new mayor is elected.
The councilors interviewed by Latvian Television admitted that it is not yet clear when the vote for the mayor of the council might take place again. Meanwhile, former Mayor Madars Lasmanis (Latvian for Development) expects a more active involvement of the responsible ministry, as the municipal council has been without a chairperson for more than 3 months.
Former Jelgava Municipality Mayor Madars Lasmanis stepped down in April half after an ambiguous video of the council leader was leaked to the public.